Having reinforced the commitment to position itself as a leading research-intensive and teaching-intensive university, UBC has proceeded with a significant restructuring of its professoriate. Recognizing that it is increasingly challenging for academics to achieve and set new global standards of excellence in research while actively advancing educational innovation, the University introduced a parallel tenure track stream focused on educational leadership and teaching. This move was to enable the University to advance and successfully implement curricular and pedagogical reforms that are research-informed and evidence based, while providing meaningful, fulfilling academic careers to faculty members hired to lead these efforts.

Eight years later, the insistence on rigorous tenure and promotion criteria and high expectations of re-defined academic productivity have made this new stream an attractive and valued alternative to the traditional professorial ranks. This presentation will integrate reflections from both a senior administrator’s and a faculty member’s perspectives on the benefits and challenges of this new model.